{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

Fullback Jorvorskie Lane, a starter for the Dolphins last year, was cut today as the Dolphins trimmed the roster from 84 to 75.

Receiver Julius Pruitt, a former Dolphins special teams standout who was brought back this training camp to compete for a spot, was also among the cuts. Right guard Lance Louis, who was supposed to compete with John Jerry as he recovered from a ACL tear in Chicago, had his contract terminated.

By cutting Lane, the Dolphins will head into the season without a traditional fullback. If Evan Rodriguez makes the team, he would be the most natural fullback although he is in the hybrid fullback/tight end H-back mold. If Rodriguez is cut, the team won’t have a single player with fullback experience on the roster.

“We’re going to keep the best 53 players that we have on the football team however that may shake itself out,” said Coach Joe Philbin today when asked whether the team might go into the season without a fullback. “I wouldn’t rule out anything.”
The Dolphins have to trim the roster to 53 by Saturday night.

The race for the last two receiving spots now comes down to Marvin McNutt, Chad Bumphis, Keenan Davis, Rishard Matthews and Brian Tyms. All have had their moments in training camp and in the preseason. Matthews was the only player on the roster last year. Tyms was on the practice squad. McNutt, Bumphis and Davis are undrafted rookies.

Jordan practices: Rookie defensive end Dion Jordan, the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, may or may not be ready for the Sept. 8 season opener against Cleveland.

But there was some progress today as Jordan, who has been out for nearly three weeks as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery, returned for individual drills.

“Anytime I get a chance to go out there and just compete and mix it up and get a chance to make myself better, it’s a big day,” Jordan said. “So I was out there and did a little bit more. That’s the plan.”

Jordan began training camp on injured reserve, returned a few days later and played in the first two preseason game before the team sat him so he could continue to rehab the shoulder. Jordan had a torn labrum in his right shoulder suffered at the University of Oregon and he had surgery in February.

Jordan said last week he wouldn’t return until he was “physically and mentally” ready.

Coach Joe Philbin today wouldn’t give specifics on Jordan’s progress.

“He’s out here practicing, he’s healthy enough to practice and that’s what he did today. He practiced,” Philbin said.

Clay has bad taste: New starting tight end Charles Clay, who was targeted six times on Saturday against Tampa Bay and had just one reception, said he’d rather forget that performance.

“I’m just trying to get that taste out of my mouth,” Clay said. “It’s never a thing you want to put on film, having a game like that.”

Clay, who replaces Dustin Keller (torn knee ligaments, out for season) in starting lineup, said he needs to work on “running routes, trying to get more separation, things like that. All of the things I came out here this week and tried to improve upon.”

Davis still out: Rookie cornerback Will Davis missed his second consecutive practice today after appearing to injure his left leg late in Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Philbin declined to discuss Davis’ injury. But if Davis, the team’s third-round draft choice, is to miss any extended time, it will be even more pressure for cornerback Jamar Taylor to progress quickly from offseason hernia surgery.

Taylor, the team’s second round draft choice, returned to practice two weeks ago and played 24 snaps on defense against Tampa Bay on Saturday and 10 snaps on special teams.

Trackbacks

[…] to keep the best 53 players that we have on the football team however that may shake itself out,” said Coach Joe Philbin today when asked whether the team might go into the season without a fullback. “I wouldn’t rule out […]